Grocery stores, hardware stores, department stores, and more all rely on pallets every day for receiving the products they sell to customers. But with so many wooden pallets in circulation, what happens to them after a shipment is completed?
Along with its general commitment to being as sustainable as possible in their business practices, Home Depot recycles all of their pallets by returning them to their suppliers for re-use.
Unfortunately, though, Home Depot is not a drop-off site for pallet recycling. In other words, while Home Depot recycles their own pallets, they do not accept pallets from customers to be sent off for recycling. If you need to recycle your pallets, you will have to look elsewhere.
Keep reading to find out where you can recycle pallets yourself.
Contents
Why Does Home Depot Not Buy Pallets?
The Home Depot is not in the business of buying pallets from customers simply because it’s not part of their business model. The company’s retail locations acquire pallets for free when they receive shipments from their many suppliers. Then, once the shipment has been received and the pallet has been emptied, Home Depot returns these pallets to the supplier for re-use.
The Home Depot does not make money off of recycling pallets, so it would not be financially viable for them to buy pallets from customers.
Where Can You Sell Pallets?
If you’re looking for a place where you can sell your pallets that you no longer need, don’t worry. There are plenty of places nationwide that will accept your used pallets for re-use or recycling.
One of the most common companies that buys pallets is Kamps Pallets, with locations nationwide. You can also search for local pallet manufacturers in your area which are almost guaranteed to buy pallets.
In Washington State, for example, the following companies buy pallets:
- Wiley Pallet
- A-1 Pallets
- Pacific Pallets
- Mac’s Wood Products
- Tri-County Pallet
If you’re not located near a company that buys back pallets for recycling, you can also try selling your pallets on Craigslist. Pallets are extremely versatile and are often repurposed for at-home building and craft projects. So, it’s very possible you might be able to find an excited buyer.
If all else fails, you can always try offering your pallets up in the “free” section on Craigslist.
How Much Is the Rate For Used Pallets?
When it comes to used pallets, the price you can expect to get varies a lot. Depending on a few factors–condition, size, demand–you could get anywhere from $0.50 and $4 per pallet.
The bigger and sturdier your pallets are, the more money you’ll be able to get per unit.
What Are The Wood Pallet Price Factors?
The factors that affect used pallet pricing include:
- Size
- Condition
- Location
- Demand
Can You Recycle Used Pallets By Yourself?
Unfortunately, pallets and scrap wood aren’t something you can just take to a recycling center. While wood is an extremely reusable material, there isn’t an industrial process for recycling and repurposing wood as with other materials.
That means that if you’d like to recycle your pallets the DIY way, you’ll have to get creative.
Here’s a list of ways that you can recycle your pallets yourself:
- Break them down and use the wood for DIY building projects around the house
- Renovate them by replacing weak planks or rusted nails
- Sell them to a pallet manufacturer or on Craigslist
- Donate them via Craigslist or to a friend who can use the materials
If you’re excited about repurposing your old pallets, you could make anything from lawn furniture to raised garden beds to a gorgeous coffee table. When done right, refurbishing and repurposing pallets is a great way to turn something rugged into something beautiful and timeless.
For a ton more ideas on how to repurpose your old pallets, check out this video from Foisy Aquatics on YouTube.
FAQs
How can you recover broken pallets?
Refurbishing a broken pallet is totally possible with a little bit of time and elbow grease. If your pallet has a broken slat or two, you’ll need to replace it with a similarly sized piece of wood (pallets are typically made primarily from 1”x4” planks).
Here’s a step-by-step look at how to repair a broken pallet:
- Gather your tools, including a crow bar, a hammer, a miter saw, and some 2”-4” wood nails depending on the size of your pallet
- Assess the damage and decide what supplies you’ll need to complete the repair (you’ll need enough wood to replace the wood you plan to remove)
- Remove the broken slats using a crowbar
- Remove or hammer down any protruding nails
- Cut your replacement wood to the size and shape you need
- Using your hammer and nails, replace the missing slats with the fresh wood
Make sure all of your wood is dry when you take on this project. You can also add wood glue to any fastenings before hammering in your nails to make the bond stronger.
Does Home Depot give away free pallets?
No. The Home Depot does not give away free pallets.
Can you throw a pallet into a dumpster?
Technically, yes. But this isn’t the best or most sustainable way to deal with an old pallet.
What size pallets are worth the money?
The size of pallet you need will depend entirely on what you’re using it for. Smaller, lighter pallets are better for simple at-home building projects that won’t need to bear much weight. Larger, more heavy duty pallets are better for weight-bearing uses, and they will also last much longer and withstand rougher treatment.
Conclusion
While The Home Depot does not accept pallets from customers for recycling, they do recycle all of their own pallets by returning them to their suppliers. For individuals interested in recycling pallets, looking into local pallet manufacturers is a great place to start as many of these companies will accept used pallets. Some pallet companies will even pay up to $4 per pallet depending on the condition. If you’re interested in repurposing your old pallets, they can also be used as a perfect starter for many DIY building projects, including lawn furniture, garden beds, and more.
